Despite the current wave of terror attacks against Israelis in recent days, 65 new immigrants (or Olim) from the United States and Canada moved to Israel this morning, via El Al Israel airlines, on a Nefesh B’Nefesh group Aliyah flight which was facilitated in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel, and JNF-USA.

The passengers, who range in age from 10 months to 83 years old, moved to Israel from 13 states and provinces across North America, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Maine, Maryland, Ohio and Quebec.

Among the passengers are five young men and women who are volunteering to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as Lone Soldiers – those who immigrate to Israel without any immediate family and join the IDF. Twenty of the passengers will be moving to the south of Israel as part of NBN and Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel’s Go North and Go South programs that settle immigrants in Israel’s developing periphery.

“We are truly inspired that despite the extremely difficult times Israel is currently experiencing, Olim are undeterred and are still making Aliyah. They are coming not only with the desire to build their homes and lives in Israel but to express that modern-day Zionism is thriving while displaying their deep responsibility towards the State of Israel and Jewish People,” said Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass.

“Their choice to leave a comfortable life and move to Israel, and even more so in these times, is an important contribution to Israel’s strength and national morale. We are proud to accompany each immigrant through the Aliyah process and will use all means at our disposal to ensure their successful absorption and acclimatization to Israeli society,” he continued.

About Nefesh B’Nefesh (www.nbn.org.il):
Founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh in cooperation with the Israeli government and The Jewish Agency for Israel, is dedicated to revitalizing Aliyah from North America and the UK by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of Aliyah. The support and comprehensive social services provided by Nefesh B’Nefesh to its almost 45,000 newcomers has ensured that over 90% of its Olim have remained in Israel.